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06 September 2010

Another Concerned BSF-er

Last week I ran across this blog post from another concerned member of Bible Study Fellowship. Like many (myself included), she had for years endorsed BSF and encouraged and promoted it. As with the articles published by Lighthouse Trails, this individual shares the same concerns that I do regarding BSF's apparent "relevant" direction toward Contemplative Spirituality. Friends, where there is smoke, there is fire. Unfortunately it took awhile for the smoke to waft all the way from BSF's Texas headquarters to the individual classes, but now, unless Ms. Rowan and BSF retract their endorsement of contemplative authors and The Message, those of us who are involved in this organization are faced with a choice. Much prayer is needed.

Many of you know that I have endorsed BSF as a great Bible Study. I have attended for 7 years and have taught in the children’s program for three of the last years.

I stepped out of leadership this year for two reasons.

Reason #1 – I wanted to serve more faithfully in my church. I felt as though I had received great training from BSF but I felt absolutely no hesitation to pull out this year. The time was right.

Reason #2 – The BSF retreat in Portland was very interesting but when the dust settled I knew something was terribly wrong. Red flags had popped out during the first talk given by new executive director, Susie Rowan. Change was predicted and this is not bad in itself, because BSF is rather strict and holds its copyrighted lesson material, very close. As leaders we are able to wear slacks this year and this was nice, but this is what bothered me most. Ms. Rowan stood on stage and told us a story. A group of people from a Kansas City church had surrounded her to give her a blessing. They all laid hands on her and prayed in tongues over her. This is not biblical. I am pretty much a cessationist who believes God will still distribute spiritual gifts as He pleases, but the Bible teaches that one person speaks and the other interprets. So she was endorsing a form of charisma chaos. I wondered what was going to happen to the conservative teachings of BSF?

On the last day of our leaders meeting for the year, my fears were realized. We receive a magazine with recommended books to read during the break. On the list was a book by Dallas Willard, a known contemplative/emergent. Also a verse was given from the apostate translation of the Bible, “The Message.”

I knew I had made the right decision, and that I was guided by the Lord’s hand. I may attend the new study of Isaiah which will start in September just to see how the lessons are put together.

I pray that you will find truth in God’s Word and use a good translation of the Bible. The KJV is always safe but there are other good versions. I no longer can recommend BSF until there is a retraction of the recommended book by Dallas Willard, until “The Message” is dropped as the Word of God and until Susie Rowan resigns as Executive Director of BSF…

There are good people still in this organization. I pray that their voices will be heard as witnesses to the light and truth.

For those of you who haven't seen the May magazine that is being referred to, BSF has made it available online here. Below are a couple of snapshots of our areas of concern. I think many of us would be comforted if BSF would respond to Lighthouse Trails--and numerous members'--concerns. Yet, even though they have been contacted by Lighthouse Trails, they remain silent. What does the silence mean? I won't speculate, but it certainly adds to the concern. If they would admit that they are now endorsing contemplative spirituality, many would leave the organization, but at least we could respect them for their honesty. Just waiting in silence for this to "blow over," however, is only feeding our suspicions.

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